Prince William

[Olderkids]

I am pleased to let you know that Prince William is on good form, visiting my home town today, meeting our football team and pulling a pint in the local. He clearly prioritised his engagements this week and this was far too important to miss⚽️🤣

@Prydddan "He neglected his kids, apparently."

I'm sure he did- that particular sort of neglect the British upper classes specialise in. But a lot of very busy people indeed manage to be successful caring parents.

Please can someone tell me what W has to learn in order to be King?

They are just people trying to do their best, but in the glare of the spotlight. I'm sure most of us would hate it.

They're independently wealthy to the tune of many millions - maybe even billions (their true worth is well hidden from the peasants) and they're not chained to the palace radiators.

They can walk away anytime they choose yet overwhelmingly don't. Personally I think they'd have done well to call it a day after TLQ died but they've chosen to carry on.

It can't be that bad.

forgivingfiggy · Yesterday 21:17
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I think a sick father (who is king) and a sick wife (who is the more popular half of your 'brand') would encourage me to be more visible - isn't this his moment to shine?
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At best, it strikes me as a wasted opportunity”

You compete with your loved ones for popularity? Jesus wept.

He'll probably be learning a lot from him in case he has to step in.

He's in his 40's and has been steeped in royal protocol all his life. Didn't he also go to weekly teas at Windsor with Granny for tuition in kinging as a teen?

What else is there to learn?

He may have been ill or any sort of private/security matters come to the fore .He has missed a few engagements,his wife is recovering and his father is unwell. I think to cut the guy a break TBH!

This. I doubt they have very much to do at all. I don't believe for a second they research anything themselves prior to an engagement but that it's all handed to them. They don't come up with a 'buckingham palace business plan' or anything analytic or strategic l. It will be drafted for them and then they comment and perhaps make known preferences. I honestly struggle to think what they might have to do other than prepping for a few things, learn some names and their functions at a charity, choose their attire etc.

I believe the king is different. He will have to stay on top of a lot more and obviously has the final say in a lot of things. But even for that he'll have advisors.

They have the pressure of constant public opinion, but they also don't have the pressure of earning a living and other life pressures. If an engagement doesn't go ahead I doubt they'll have to put in overtime the next day to make up for it or answer to a boss.

I dont believe for a second that Kate is working on her laptop from bed. At most they will run a few ideas for after Easter through her and then that's that.

In a former life I provided briefing for several public figures. I can assure you that they had no need to do any research of their own- just read the briefing notes in the car. For the first few visits, the individuals concerned needed a little guidance and practice, but after that, all they needed was the folder.

To be fair if you take weeks off between every engagement, it probably is harder to remember how to do it 🤔

To be honest, if PW n his 40s isn't ready to step into the King's shoes at a moment's notice, I don't think much of their succession planning. But I suppose that is often a problem in family businesses. What's the expression? "Clogs to clogs in three generations."

Camilla aside, probably much of why his parents divorced.

Having a sick father is not an excuse for low engaments when you are first in line to the throne. Yes it’s sad for William, but the job of first in line means that when your parent becomes sick or incapacitated or even passes away - that’s the exact moment you need to step up. That’s how the job works, your promotion happens at the point your parent is incapable. Charles didn’t take lots of time off to mourn the Queen as his role was to provide the country stability as our new head of state.

Charles did it by not spending time with his wife and children.

@SummaLuvin precisely. It's sad having a sick parent but it's also very common. Normal people don't get to pull out of work, especially if the parent is still reasonably fit otherwise. It's not like W has to drive Charles places or treatment or has to do his weekly shop or clean.

They are fair game for comment and often ridicule. They do little to bat that away really.

Charles managed to fit in a mistress as well!

Of course I feel sympathy for W having Charles ill, but only on the worry front.

Having had one parent in a hospice, one in hospital, 60 miles round trip away, children to look after and holding down a job...the practical issues for William are absolutely zilch. And prior to that physically looking after them, cooking, hospital appointments and more. W is hardly suffering at the sharp end of the sandwich generation, like so many on here.

@Roussette and of course William doesn’t have any concerns about whether Charles is receiving adequate care and treatment, and having to advocate on his behalf. No-one here is saying that money extinguishes the upset of having a sick parent (and/or wife), but William has zero of the practical and financial considerations average Joe’s have alongside it which can be a very heavy burden.

For me, it's perfectly reasonable that William and Kate choose to work as little as possible and I think many people would do the same in their position.

What I object to is the ridiculous claims of how extremely busy they are and how hard their life is, fitting in the odd engagement around their holidays and "hands on parenting".

Yes. I’m a lazy fecker and I’d be all over that gig in fairness 😀

I agree. If I was queen I'd spend my days riding one of my selection of glorious horses then lying on a chaise dripping in diamonds drinking gin and it. It's the hypocrisy I can't take. Strange how Mumsnet is happy with that considering the outrage when a labour politician is seen in a nice restaurant.

TBF his friend was found in his locked bedroom with a gun by his side.

TBH I would do it for the Wimbledon box alone

What claims are you talking about? When have they said they are ridiculously busy and we should all feel sorry for them?

Oh god yes, I am soooooo jealous of that given I enter the public draw every year in the hope